Randy Williams founded Keiretsu Forum in September 2000 to provide a disciplined and structured approach to angel investing. His passion for investing and bringing together like-minded community leaders has created a powerful and giving environment for entrepreneurs. With over 1,500 angel investor members throughout 37 chapters on three continents, Keiretsu Forum is the largest angel investment community in the world. Last year, Keiretsu Forum members invested $58 million in 89 companies throughout the network. There have been over 700 fundings since inception. Keiretsu Forum, headquartered in San Francisco, has offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and India.
Mr. Williams is the founder of numerous Keiretsu companies that foster a ‘cradle to greatness’ platform for its portfolio, including Keiretsu Forum Academy, Keiretsu Capital, and Keiretsu Squared. Keiretsu Forum Academy is an educational company equipping entrepreneurs with a path toward funding and liquidity. Keiretsu Capital’s mission is to invest in its best of breed companies along with the world’s leading angel organizations. This creates a diversified portfolio for its limited partners while Keiretsu Squared is a business accelerator.
Mr. Williams has 35 years of marketing, finance, and real estate experience. He was co-founder and director of Diablo Valley Bank and was president of Pacific Union Commercial Brokerage, founder of Lamorinda National Bank, and managing director of Kennedy-Wilson International, an international real estate investment company. Mr. Williams is chairman of the advisory board for Heritage Bank of Commerce with offices throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Mr. Williams is a frequent guest speaker at investment conferences, leading universities, and business schools on alternative asset investments and entrepreneurialism. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California Berkeley. He has a passion for swimming, enjoying swimming in ocean and bays around the world, and is a past world record holder in master’s swimming. He currently holds seven San Francisco Olympic Club swimming records, and enjoys recognition as a member of the Olympic Club Hall of Fame for the 1980s water polo team.
Mr. Williams is also the founder of the Keiretsu Forum Charitable Foundation. Since its inception in 2001, 114 deserving charities have been granted sizable donations. The goal of the Keiretsu Forum Charitable Foundation is to grant $250,000 annually, to worthy local charities throughout the Keiretsu Forum regional chapters.